Raymond, MS--In a highly anticipated matchup, the East Central Community College Warriors dismantled the Hinds Community College Eagles 42-13 on September 25, 2024, in Raymond, Mississippi, at Joe Renfroe Stadium. The game, marking the fifth season for both teams, saw East Central improve their record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while Hinds remained winless at 0-5, 0-2 in the conference. The Warriors put together a complete performance on both sides of the ball, controlling the tempo and outmatching the Eagles in almost every phase of the game.

First Quarter: East Central Sets the Tone

From the opening drive, it was clear that East Central was intent on asserting their dominance early. They wasted no time finding the end zone, marching down the field on a 7-play, 55-yard drive that culminated in a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Landon Sims to wide receiver Josh Palmer. The drive, which took just under three minutes, showcased the efficiency of East Central's offense. Cade Mangum's extra point was good, and the Warriors took a 7-0 lead with 10:04 left in the first quarter.

Hinds responded with a steady drive of their own, as quarterback Jabari Watson led the Eagles 68 yards down the field in 11 plays. However, they were unable to finish in the red zone, settling for a 27-yard field goal by Tanner Hollingsworth with 2:05 remaining in the quarter. The Eagles cut the deficit to 7-3, but their inability to reach the end zone would be a recurring issue throughout the game.

Second Quarter: A Battle for Momentum

The second quarter saw Hinds momentarily take the lead as they capitalized on a short field following a punt. The Eagles put together a quick 5-play, 35-yard drive, with Watson finding wide receiver TD Vaughn for an 18-yard touchdown pass. Hollingsworth added the extra point, and Hinds led 10-7 with 9:31 left in the half. This would be the last time Hinds held the lead as East Central quickly regained control.

Undeterred by Hinds' brief momentum shift, the Warriors' offense responded just before halftime with a well-executed 7-play, 39-yard drive in the final minute of the second quarter. Sims connected with wide receiver Lawrance Armstrong on a 23-yard touchdown pass with just three seconds left before halftime. Mangum's extra point made it 14-10 favor East Central heading into the locker room. The late score was a significant blow to Hinds, as the Eagles could not capitalize on their earlier success and saw their lead disappear before halftime.

Third Quarter: East Central Takes Command

Coming out of halftime, East Central took complete control of the game. The Warriors' defense, led by standout performances from players like Donnie Smith, who recorded 9 total tackles and a sack, consistently stifled the Eagles' offense. Hinds struggled to move the ball, and their rushing attack was bottled up throughout the game, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry on 45 attempts.

East Central's offense, meanwhile, continued to fire on all cylinders. The Warriors opened the second half with an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive that ate up more than five minutes of clock. Keshawn Henley finished the drive with a 7-yard touchdown run, extending East Central's lead to 21-10 with 8:44 left in the third quarter. Henley's performance on the ground was a key factor for East Central, as he rushed for 70 yards on 11 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per rush.

After forcing a punt on Hinds' next possession, East Central struck again, this time through the air. Sims, who had been sharp all game, orchestrated an 8-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Donte Booth. Mangum remained perfect on extra points, and the Warriors extended their lead to 28-10 with just under three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Hinds, unable to generate any sustained offensive drives, found themselves in a deep hole heading into the final quarter. The Eagles' third-down efficiency was just 33%, converting only 6 of 18 attempts, which contributed to their inability to keep drives alive and put pressure on East Central's defense.

Fourth Quarter: Sealing the Victory

The fourth quarter was the final nail in the coffin for Hinds as East Central dominated. Early in the quarter, Chris Tucker delivered the dagger with a short toss to Tyler Arrington, who then took it the distance. The drive spanned 94 yards in just four plays and pushed East Central's lead to 35-10 with 10:09 left in the game.

Despite the large deficit, Hinds added another field goal, a 41-yarder from Hollingsworth, midway through the fourth quarter. This brought the score to 35-13, but it was too late for the Eagles. Hollingsworth's kicking was one of the few bright spots for Hinds, as he converted both field goal attempts, including the long 41-yarder.

East Central capped off their scoring with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Daelyn Patton late in the game, completing a 7-play, 61-yard drive that burned valuable time off the clock. Mangum added his sixth extra point of the night, making him a perfect 6-for-6, and the Warriors' lead grew to 42-13 with under three minutes remaining.

The final scoreline was a testament to East Central's dominance in all facets of the game. The Warriors outgained the Eagles 480 yards to 236, showcasing a balanced offensive attack with 296 passing yards and 184 rushing yards. Sims was efficient and accurate throughout the game, completing 18 of 29 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground with 51 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Key Players and Standout Performances

Landon Sims's quarterback performance was the highlight for East Central. He threw for three touchdowns and made several key plays with his arm and legs.

Keshawn Henley's contribution on the ground was equally crucial, as he consistently gained yardage on key downs and found the end zone once. Tyler Arrington led all receivers with 80 yards on just three catches, including the 55-yard touchdown bomb from Tucker.

On the defensive side, Donnie Smith led the Warriors with 9 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss. Delvin Whitaker and Cartize Booth also contributed strong defensive efforts, helping East Central limit Hinds to just 236 yards and 13 points.

For Hinds, the offense struggled to find consistency. Watson completed 13 of 24 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, while backup Nassir Donohoo added 39 yards on 3-of-3 passing. The Eagles' rushing attack was largely ineffective, with Ja'Marian Johnson leading the team with just 38 rushing yards on eight attempts.

Up Next

The Warriors will have an off week to rest and prepare for Mississippi Gulf Coast coming to town for homecoming on October 10.

Tickets: https://ecccathletics.com/tickets